Elastic member clamps

Abstract

The present application generally relates to orthopedic stabilization systems, and in particular, to systems including clamps. The clamps can be used in addition to or to replace hooks that grasp onto bone members, such as the lamina. One example of such a clamp is an in-line clamp that includes a central opening for receiving a rod member, a first opening for receiving a set screw and a second opening for receiving an elastic member therethrough. Another example of such a clamp is an off-set clamp that includes an upper plate, a bottom plate, and an opening for receiving a rod therein. The upper plate can be separated from the bottom plate to make space for an elastic member that can be secured within the plates. Tulip clamps that utilize one or more elastic members are also provided.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method comprising:
 positioning a clamp on a bone member; 
 positioning an elastic member around the bone member; and 
 tensioning the elastic member with an instrument having a lower member and a detachable upper member, wherein the lower member comprises a clamp holder having fingers for grasping the clamp and the upper member comprises a tensioner driver for tensioning the elastic member, wherein upward translation of the tensioner driver increases tension on the elastic member, 
 wherein the clamp holder is located at a distal end of a shaft, the lower member of the instrument includes a sleeve that extends over the shaft and to place the fingers in a closed configuration to retain the clamp when the sleeve is in a first position and to place the fingers in an open configuration to receive the clamp when the sleeve is in a second position, and 
 wherein the lower member of the instrument includes a sleeve release button that allows the sleeve to move along a longitudinal path over the shaft between the second position and the first position. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising releasing the lower member from the clamp by pushing the sleeve release button and drawing the sleeve upwardly, thereby causing the fingers to open. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein loose ends of the elastic member are cut after detachment of the instrument from the elastic member. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the clamp further comprises a first opening and a second opening, wherein a set screw is received in the first opening. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , wherein the elastic member is received in the second opening. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the clamp further comprises an inner opening formed by an inner curved wall of the clamp, wherein the inner curved wall includes a groove for receiving the elastic member. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the instrument further comprises a carriage operably attached to the tensioner driver. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the lower member of the instrument comprises a bottom cam lock having a side slot for receiving the elastic member therein. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the upper member comprises a top cam lock in line with the bottom cam lock for receiving the elastic member therein. 
     
     
       10. A method comprising:
 positioning an elastic member around a bone member; 
 holding a clamp with an instrument; and 
 tensioning the elastic member with the instrument, the instrument having an upper member and a lower member, wherein the upper member comprises a top cam lock having a side slot for receiving the elastic member and the lower member comprises a bottom cam lock having a side slot for receiving the elastic member therein, wherein the upper member comprises a tensioner driver for tensioning the elastic member, wherein upward translation of the tensioner driver increases tension on the elastic member, 
 wherein the lower member of the instrument includes a sleeve that extends over a shaft to place fingers positioned at a distal end of the shaft in a closed configuration to retain the clamp when the sleeve is in a first position and to place the fingers in an open configuration to receive the clamp when the sleeve is in a second position, and 
 wherein the lower member of the instrument includes a sleeve release button that allows the sleeve to move along a longitudinal path over the shaft from the second position to the first position. 
 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the clamp further comprises a set screw. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the instrument is configured to apply tension to the bone member while holding the clamp. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the tensioner driver is operably connected to a carriage, wherein the top cam lock extends from the carriage. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 10 , wherein the instrument further comprises a hex knob tensioner driver for increasing or decreasing tension on the elastic member. 
     
     
       15. A method comprising:
 positioning a clamp on a bone member; 
 positioning an elastic member around the bone member; and 
 tensioning the elastic member with an instrument having an upper member and a lower member, wherein the upper member is detachable from the lower member, wherein the lower member comprises a bottom cam lock for receiving the elastic member and the upper member comprises a top cam lock for receiving the elastic member, wherein the upper member comprises a tensioner driver for tensioning the elastic member, wherein upward translation of the tensioner driver increases tension on the elastic member, 
 wherein the lower member of the instrument includes a sleeve that extends over a shaft to place fingers positioned at a distal end of the shaft in a closed configuration to retain the clamp when the sleeve is in a first position and to place the place the fingers in an open configuration to receive the clamp when the sleeve is in a second position, and 
 wherein the lower member of the instrument includes a sleeve release button that allows the sleeve to move along a longitudinal path over the shaft from the second position to the first position. 
 
     
     
       16. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the elastic member is side-loaded into each of the bottom cam lock and the top cam lock. 
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the bottom cam lock comprises a release latch. 
     
     
       18. The method of  claim 15 , wherein the instrument further comprises a carriage. 
     
     
       19. The method of  claim 18 , wherein the top cam lock extends from the carriage, wherein rotation of the tensioner driver causes the carriage to translate such that tension increases on the elastic member.